The Only Church in Washington Landslide Disaster Area is on Front Lines; Desperate for Prayer

Teresa Neumann : Mar 26, 2014
Joe Conway – Baptist Press News

"Pray. That is what we need most, and what the families here need most. We need people to pray." -Pastor Gary Ray of Oso Community Chapel

(Oso, WA)—As the grim search continues, and more bodies are found, in the massive mudslide that swept through this small town of 500 in Washington State, Baptist Press News reports that one church is on the front lines there helping to minister to the community. (Photo via YouTube)

Oso Community Chapel is reportedly the only church on a 30-mile stretch of Highway 530, which was covered by the landslide. Although none of the Chapel's church members were injured or lost their homes, they all know people affected by the disaster.

Said Pastor Gary Ray, "We are the only church on the only road through here. The church is less than two miles from the impact area. The roads are blocked, the power is out and communication is a challenge. We want to mobilize the church and the community to support the recovery work. We want to be able to do anything we can to help with an eye to long-term community support and rebuilding. This area is highly unchurched." (Photo: Joshua Trujillo/via SEATTLEPI.COM)

Northwest Baptist Convention Disaster Relief Director Gary Floyd has asked people to pray for the relief work.

"This is currently a local response," said Floyd. "The biggest thing I would ask people to do now is to pray for Ray and his wife, Tina, and for the recovery efforts."

On Tuesday night, the death toll rose to 16, and emergency crews believe they have found another eight bodies but they have yet to be recovered. As many as 176 people remained missing, according to reports.